Wondering why the Emerson thermostat display not working? We’re here to assist you!
A sudden outage of the Emerson thermostat’s display often indicates a power failure or an issue with one of the connected AC units.
This guide strives to help you uncover the exact cause of the complication and apply quick and practical troubleshooting like a professional.
To fix the blank display of the Emerson thermostat, reinsert the internal battery. Next, unclog the air filters on all the AC units, test the drain pipe of the furnace, and factory reset your Emerson device to the default state.
There is much more to investigate, so let’s get started!
Why is the Emerson Heating Thermostat Display Not Working?
Understanding what could potentially impact the functionality of the Emerson thermostat and cause the display to go blank is vital to troubleshooting the problem.
Hence, the first step is to review an organized list containing all the possible complications with Emerson thermostats.
Here’s why the Emerson thermostat’s display isn’t coming on:
The display of the Emerson thermostat can go blank primarily due to the causes listed above.
To uncover potent solutions to the corresponding issues, proceed with the following guide…
Emerson Thermostat Display Not Working – Fixed Easily!
Tip: Follow the solutions below in consecutive order!
1. Power Circulate the Thermostat!
The thermostat batteries have a life expectancy of about 5 years.
However, that doesn’t mean they’ll always exceed expectations, hence, they may degrade faster and could be entirely dead.
To address non-lasting issues with the Emerson thermostat, it is highly advised to reinsert the internal rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries based on the Emerson thermostat model.
How to Reinsert Emerson Thermostat Batteries?
First, locate the battery compartment on the side of the Emerson thermostat and take out the rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery unit.
Wait at least 60 seconds and reposition the batteries to their original enclosure by aligning them with the electrical poles and their springs.
Info: The programmable Emerson thermostat uses two “AA-type batteries, and the non-programmable uses a rechargeable iON battery.
Bonus Tip: Install a C-Wire Thermostat Adapter
An alternative to powering the Emerson thermostat is installing a C-wire adapter at the circuit breaker panel.
The C-wire adapter is a highly effective power supply of the Emerson thermostat, offering constant and reliable electricity transfer to the internal battery units.
Here are the steps to install a C-wire into an Emerson thermostat correctly:
- Using a flathead screwdriver, unscrew the bolts holding the front panel.
- Remove the front panel of the thermostat where the display is located.
- Unscrew the bolts holding the “C” and “RC” and put the wires under them.
- After inserting them, tighten the bolts with the two C-wires underneath them.
- Connect the adapter to an outlet and revert the panel to its original position.
Notice: The C-wire adapter is not resistant to power outages and electrical damage!
2. Clean the AC’s Components
One of the reasons why the Emerson heating thermostat display not working is because of a dirty air conditioner.
A safety airflow switch can be found within the air conditioner, and if triggered, it can shut down the air conditioning and turn off the Emerson thermostat and its display entirely.
Ingredients for Cleaning an AC Properly
- Water bucket, preferably filled with hot water.
- A dry towel is used for sweeping the air filter.
- A cleaning agent to clean the filters efficiently.
- A screwdriver for undoing the bolts of the unit.
- Optional: A can of compressed air/compressor.
How to Clean the Air Filter of the Air Conditioner?
To clean the air filter of the AC, power off the thermostat and remove the screws holding the air filter intact.
After that, remove the filter from the attachment socket and use the compressed air can, the cleaning agent, and the dry towel to remove all the debris and dust accumulation.
How to Clean the Circuit Board?
The circuit board is located after going further than the filter.
Depending on the model, it’s more likely to be covered by a metal panel with a serial number.
Unplug it from all the cables attached to it, check its condition, and clean it using a towel without applying water.
How to Clean the Blower Wheel?
The blower wheel is even further than the circuit board and the filter. You must unscrew all bolts and remove all parts until you reach it.
Once you’re there, detach the wheel carefully and clean the inside and outside, mainly using the cleaning agent, towel, or spray.
Alert: Verify all parts are reinstalled correctly once you finish cleaning!
3. Check for a Blown Furnace Fuse
The fuse is integral in keeping the device’s electrical circuit safe from melting when there are voltage fluctuations or surges.
You can check if your fuse is blown by using a Multimeter and attaching it to each fuse to check the current power conditions and determine if it is functional.
- The fuses can be found in the HVAC compartment near the furnace installation!
Follow these steps to check for a blown fuse in your HVAC system:
- First, take hold of a Multimeter to verify each fuse’s condition.
- Switch the moveable pointer to “OM 20K” used for measuring.
- Remove the protective tips from both leads of the multimeter.
- Place each fuse on a non-metal surface and begin the testing.
- Connect each fuse’s ends with each lead and check the display.
- If the fuse responds to the multimeter, it means that it’s functional.
If one or more fuses do not indicate functionality when in contact with the multimeter’s pointers, uninstall the fuse and search for an exact replacement.
Take the fuse with you if you’re planning to purchase the replacement physically, or search for the model of the fuse online.
Tip: To prevent blown fuses, ensure the new fuse uses higher capacity levels!
4. Reset the HVAC Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker can trip if another unit requires a lot of power service to operate, leading the HVAC system to fail.
The HVAC system has an integrated switch at the breaker, allowing for cutting the power supply during emergencies, flooding, or other power/technical difficulties.
How to Reset the HVAC Circuit Breaker?
- First, find the circuit breaker panel in or outside your home.
- Next, open the panel and identify the HVAC furnace switch.
- Then, check which breaker is not “ON” and is currently tripped.
- Then, push the breaker switch all the way to the “OFF” position.
- Wait for 30 seconds and push the breaker switch back to “ON.”
So, remember that while the breaker switch is set to “OFF,” all devices connected to your HVAC system, including the main supply of the Emerson thermostat, will be deactivated.
Hence, do not attempt to interact with any of your connected devices while the power reset is still ongoing!
Tip: To prevent future circuit trips, use your high-demanding devices on a different line from your power installation.
5. Factory Reset the Emerson Thermostat!
The Emerson thermostat’ system is designed to power off whenever the device encounters any difficulty adhering to the programmed settings and instructions the user applies.
To fix this issue, it is strongly advised to force a factory reset process on the system of the Emerson thermostat.
- The Emerson thermostat can factory reset even if the display isn’t coming on!
Here’s how to factory reset the Emerson thermostat efficiently:
- Locate the “Upper Arrow” button on the front panel.
- Also, locate the “Lower Arrow” and “Time” buttons.
- Press and hold all three buttons at the same time.
- Release all buttons when the display turns back on.
Know that the factory reset will erase all content and settings stored on the Emerson thermostat, including custom configurations and saved schedules.
The Emerson thermostat system cannot be backed up, so content lost due to the factory reset cannot be restored in any possible way.
Note: The factory reset may last up to 3 minutes!
Quick Recap:
When your Emerson thermostat display not working, replace the batteries or change to a C-wire adapter, clean the air conditioner, and check for a blown fuse.
If the issue persists, hard reset the Emerson thermostat by holding the Arrows and Time buttons on the front.
Follow us for more Emerson thermostat troubleshooting!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.